A new online learning course aiming to raise awareness of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues in UK agriculture has been launched by Nuffield Farming Scholarships, sponsored by McDonald's and The School of Sustainable Food & Farming at Harper Adams University. The programme is also being supported by AHDB and the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust.

Agriculture is one of the least diverse industries in the United Kingdom, including ethnicity, disability, and sexual orientation and especially in leadership and management roles. This presents a series of challenges for the industry, most notably when it comes to recruitment and relations with the wider public.

One barrier to welcoming more diverse people is a lack of awareness among those in the industry in how to relate to and communicate with people from different backgrounds.

There are many people in the rural sectors who might want to reach out but may not know where to start or are afraid of causing offense accidentally. Additionally, new entrants or students from under-represented groups may feel nervous about choosing a farm or other business for work placements. 

"A small group of Nuffield Farming Scholars wanted to take action on this important issue and create an opportunity for fellow farmers and rural community members to further their own understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion," explains Wyn Owen, chair of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

"A proposal for the project was presented to the director and trustees, who gave their full support, and AgDiversity was born. This is Nuffield Farming at its absolute best, with our Scholars taking the lead and creating positive change in agriculture, and I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved in the trust's name."

AgDiversity is a bespoke course created specifically for those involved in agricultural, rural and land-based industries. It is open to anyone wishing to learn more about DEI for a fee of £30.00 – the lowest cost of any openly available course of its kind.

Laura Henderson, Vice President, McDonald's UK & Ireland Supply Chain says:

"We are really proud to be involved in AgDiversity. At McDonald's we're committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion at work, both within our business and throughout our supply chain. Through this industry-leading partnership we are not only driving awareness of this agenda, but also working towards creating an inclusive working environment where everyone can bring themselves to work - something that strongly aligns with our ongoing efforts to drive meaningful change in this space."

Users who complete the AgDiversity course will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to be listed on the AgDiversity Participant Database, supported by the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. The database will be available on the Nuffield Farming website to help students, job seekers and others to identify farms and businesses that are investing in DEI awareness as a positive signal to those from underrepresented groups in search of a place to work.

Professor Michael Lee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Harper Adams University, says:

"A more diverse food and farming sector is a stronger food and farming sector. Bringing new faces and fresh thinking into the industry can only be a good thing, and it's something which drives the work of both the School of Sustainable Food and Farming and Harper Adams University more widely. With that in mind, it is great to see this new course launched by Nuffield Farming Scholarships – and we're delighted to lend our support!"

The course was launched on 23^rd October with a panel discussing diversity and inclusion in agriculture, the need for better understanding, and the importance of the issue to the industry's future success. Panellists included DEI advocate and farm vet Navaratnam Partheeban OBE NSch, organic mixed farmer Polly Davies, farmer and AgRespect member Micky Wright, Paralympian Kendra Hall NSch, and farmer and co-founder of Inclusive Farm Mike Duxbury. The session was chaired by Alex Hardie from the School of Sustainable Food and Farming.

Panellist Polly Davies, who advocates for women in the arable sector, shared her thoughts on the AgDiversity course:

"I would highly recommend that everyone complete AgDiversity – I have never done any diversity courses before, and it was excellent. It's a really good course that gives tangible actions to help you, like thinking slower, which is one that I took away. I would encourage anyone that is involved in farming to just get their teeth into it. It's so well-written and so agriculturally focussed that anyone can get something out of this."

The event was held in a 16^th century barn at Romshed Farm which also serves as a host farm for The Country Trust, providing underprivileged children with access to food, farming and the countryside.

To learn more and access AgDiversity, please visit www.nuffieldscholar.org/agdiversity. For inquiries about group bookings, please contact info@nuffieldscholar.org